An exclusive discussion with Dr Junaid Ahmad, Director of the World Bank Group’s Water Global Practice

Junaid Ahmad, a Bangladeshi national, leads the World Bank Group’s Water Global Practice. This new role follows his position as Director for Sustainable Development in the Middle East and North Africa Region.

Junaid joined the World Bank as a Young Professional in 1991, working as an Economist in Africa and Eastern Europe before joining the Africa Infrastructure Unit. He spent 10 years in the field, first as the Deputy Resident Representative and Principal Economist in South Africa, and then as Regional Team Leader of the Water and Sanitation Program for the South Asia region based in India.

He later became Sector Manager for Social Development for the South Asia region and subsequently for Urban Water and Sanitation. Focusing on institutional reform, Junaid has taken an inter-sectoral approach to water, linking the sector to important drivers of change such as decentralization, regional cooperation, and climate change. He holds a PhD in Applied Economics from Stanford University, an MPA from Harvard University, and a BA in Economics from Brown University.

 

Organized in framework of the ‘Paris Climat 2015 – Make it Work’ initiative.